Iraqi government: airstrike kills 25 militants

BAGHDAD — Iraq's defense ministry spokesman says a government airstrike has killed 25 al-Qaida militants in a besieged province west of Baghdad.

Tuesday's strike comes amid fierce clashes between Iraqi special forces and insurgents in a battle for control of the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi in Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

Gen. Mohammed al-Askari says the Iraqi air force struck the operations center for the terror network in the provincial capital of Ramadi, killing the 25 suspects inside. He didn't give more details about how the death toll was confirmed but cited intelligence reports.